I’m rapt to announce that my story ‘Guard Against Hunger’ will appear in the Wild North conbook this weekend.

Featuring Wild North’s own heroic red squirrel mascot Twizell alongside pine martin Gloriana and food-loving hedgehog Merrin, ‘Guard Against Hunger’ is set in Medieval times around Lumley Castle, where they call home.

In many ways, it’s an origin story, as it takes place when they are all kids. In defiance of their parents, Merrin takes Twizell on a very special quest, but will they find dinner, or be dinner themselves?

In addition, another story involving some of these characters will feature in the Open Mic Night event that will take place during the con. ‘Perry Vale’ is a tale featuring Twizell once again, this time alongside the raucous Bramblebush Hares. They are on a quest to steal a very special fruit from Greyhorn’s estate.

I hope these stories fit in well with the ‘Age of Heroes’ theme of this year’s convention. The Wild North team have created some fantastic lore around these furry characters, and it was a pleasure bringing some of their stories to life. If you are at the con, I hope you get to read ‘Guard Against Hunger’ in the conbook and hear ‘Perry Vale’ too.

Wild North takes place in the 14th century Lumley Castle in County Durham. This year, it lasts from 18-21 September. It has been running since 2018 and has a more outdoor focus, with it being set in the magical countryside of England’s North East. There is falconry, swordplay, Viking lawn chess, and even a trip to Victorian-themed living museum Beamish, a place I visited frequently as a kid. I still remember those battered coaches and the smell of sick.

I’d like to thank the staff of Wild North for including my stories in the convention, and I hope the event goes well.